MANIOTOTO NOTES.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3429, 29 July 1929, Page 5

MANIOTOTO NOTES.

AFFORESTATrON. A largely-attended public meeting of Naseby and district residents was held in ths Town Hall on Thursday last. Mr J. W, Keogh, Mayor, as couvener, explained that the action of the Afforestation Department, in restricting operations at Naseby Nursery and the discontinuance of tree planting on reserves in the district, was the reason for his calling the meeting. He considered this a serious and urgent matter both for Naseby and Central Otago in general, and desired that the public should be given an opportunity of making a united protest against the action of the Afforestation Department. On the motion of the Mavor, Mr C. J Inder was unanimously voted to the chair. Mr Inder, in addressing the meeting briefly and lucidly explained the position from a local and national standpoint, and called for a free discussion on this important question. After Messrs R. Inder, Francis, Strong, McMillan and Graham had spoken the following resolution was unanimusly carried:— "This meeting views with alarm the restriction of planting operations, and urges the department and the Government to contiue a programme of tree planting on all afforestation reserves in the district. Having duly considered tbe immediate and ultimate benefits to be derived from sheep, as we convinced that from a local and national viewpoint tree planting is the immeasurably superior propositions With regard to the goldmining, we are of the opinion that the objections from representatives of this industry are not insurmountable. We consider this most urgent matter on account of the widespread unemployment that is prevalent and the consequent poverty and distress attributable to unemployment. We request a statement as to the future policy of the Afforestation Department, and invite responsible representatives from the department to visit Naseby and acquire first-hand information on the question."